Advice sought on buying higher dollar cards

[STL1944]

I am looking for some advice for the best way to buy some higher dollar cards (of course higher dollar is relative...).

I am in the process of putting together a 1953 Bowman set. Most of the cards are PSA 5 but a few are nicer. I am at the point where I need to get some of the more expensive cards in the set (i.e. Mantle, Ford, Berra, Snider, etc.).

Here is my question... how do I balance my fear (i.e. buying a fake) vs. greed (getting a good deal)? Do I just pony up and buy one from a known dealer (i.e. PWCC) or somewhere else?

Thoughts?

[begsu1013]

1. snag it before it gets to pwcc*

2. patience.




* not a knock to pwcc. just fierce competition and realized auction prices tend to be quite strong.

[jb67]

Patience is the key. You can post on the BST section with what you are looking for and someone might have exactly what you are looking for. You can get some some pretty good deals here. If you wait for PWCC you will most likely pay a premium (mentioned earlier) for the card. I have purchased many items from PWCC because they do have a great selection. I don't always have the patience to wait for certain cards. Good luck.

[Snapolit1]

Funny, I look at it 100% differently. Except for the possibility that someone is shilling me, I think the well known auction places (including PWCC) are the best places to get a card at fair market value. Thousands of eyeballs on it and the market tells you what's reasonable and fair for that point in time. I've seen cards sell for $1000 PSA 8 on PWCC where jokers on eBay are peddling the same card on Buy it Now for $5000. ("Terribly under graded . . . .") And card shows in my experience are wildly inflated. People on this board are all fine folks but the idea that they are handing away cards at amazing price points hasn't been my experience. I've gotten a few cool things and it's great to do deals with fellow collectors, but I'm am not sure I got it any cheaper than at an AH.

[begsu1013]

agreed, sorta.

as referenced in a different thread... it is completely and 100% their right to ask whatever they want for their cards and considering, most don't get sold.

however, asking and getting are two completely different animals.

so by comparison if pwcc sells a card for $100,000 and someone else is asking $200,000 for a very similar card, then the pwcc price realized seems like a steal.

but on the contrary, and i think most would agree, the prices pwcc realizes are usually a bit higher than what similar cards sell for prior and post auction.

again we are talking higher dollar cards.

edit: and I've only consigned once. and it was w/ pwcc.

[pawpawdiv9]

Just want to mention;
What a card sold for vs what one is asking for on Ebay are 2 different things.
Folks on Ebay have high BIN's in hopes to find a 'sucker' to buy it, otherwise it would never sell and sit on Ebay on ends on end and keep being relisted.
Search thru the 'sold listings' to get a general feel for the current market and prices.
*** for those that cant see the BEST OFFERS prices- TRY using WATCHCOUNT.COM

[Peter_Spaeth]

I wouldn't worry about fake 53 midgrade Bowmans in slabs. Get the best deal you can.

[MetsBaseball1973]

Don't think you will encounter fakes based on what you are looking for. Remember if the card is nicer than most, prepare to pay more than the avg.

[pokerplyr80]

I'd try a few of the other auction houses as well. You may be able to find some nice cards at fair prices, and once in a while one may slip through the cracks at a bargain price.